Piano action



May 19, 1925.

H. F. SCHENUIT PIANO ACTION Filed April 1B, 1922 FIM??? Patented May 19, 1925.

HENRY F. SCHENUIT, O F PASADENA, CALIFORNIA.

PIANO ACTION.

Application filed April 118, 1922. Serial N o. 555,105.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that 1;, HENRY l?. Soi-iaiNUrr, a citizen ot the United States, residing at Pasadena, in the county of Los Angeles and 5 State o'li California, have. invented new and use'lnl 1mproven'ientsv yin Piano Actions, of which the ilpllowing a speoiication.

My iaveifition relates generally to pianos, and more particularly' to a piano action that includes key operated hammers strikingI downwardly, cushinningl devices, damping n'ieclninisin amlassociated parts, the principal object oi? my in'\l'enti,on being to prof, vide a down striking pigaaio action oif sini pliied construction that, can he. easily and cheaply produced and which ,is lmrticularly intended for use in pianos of relatively light weight and inexpensive construction.

Furtherobieets of my invention are to provide an improved iorm of ,keyI ignonntingr; to provide simple and el'licient nieans Vlor maintaining: the hannners elevated and out of contact with the wires when the keys are held down a'iter beingy struck, thereby enabling; lthe star-ings tov vibrate freely.; to infovide improved means for counterbalancing;A ythe weight oif the forward portions of the keys; and, further, to, `provide simple and eil'icientmeans for actuating` the Vdampingrl devices that serve to` norngially hold the strings against vibration. y

An embodiment ot' the `invention is here. inaiter described and is illustrated in the accompanying' drawings, in which libraire 1 is a plan of a groupr of three keys forming a, portion of the keyboard ofi. a piano.;

Figure is a vertical section and partial elevation of the action.

More particulai-'ly7 my present invention relates to that type of piano. key ,actions having a down stroke hammer.

In the illustrated embodiment, the invention is combined `with a key 2 which is slotted at 3 from top to. bottom to receive a balance pin 11, one end oif'which is secured as in the pin rail It isunderstood that the .invention is designed 'to be combined with the several keys of a pianok andthe action is here shown fand described with respect to one key as it is substantially similar in all of the keys.

Preferably the. key rests upon a noise deadening support,as alayer orlayers of lclt or other soft material G, surroundingI each pin 4, and resting upon the top ofl the pin rail 5.

Arranged, in the present case, horizon-` tally below the piano keys 2 are the s Lveral wires Wr, one only of which is shown, and which springs Vrom the usual bridge 7 arranged upon the sonndingv board 8.

Disposed above the wires "W and below the keys is a hammer rail 9, and upon this t'ulcrun'ied a series oi? hammers, o,t` which one indi :ated at 10, and consists of an L-sha-ped arm, the short end of which is provided with the usual striking hannncr 11.. rlhe longer end olf the hanuner arm. 10 is iulcrumed intermediate its ends upon an .individual 'Euler-nin pin 12, in the present case provided in a small bracket 13 fastened to the rear and upwardly and forwardly inclined face Sl of the hammer rail 9. The top face ot this rail is shown as slightly recessed behind the fulcruin `bracket 13 to lnovide for the downward swinging ot' the contiguous end of the hammer arm 10.

1t is very desirable to provide means for readily and accurately adjusting the position or" the hammer 11 above the respective wire 'XV when the key 2 is in its normal free position and, therefore, at the same time to. provide 'f r varying the. length of the strikingl n'1o\f'e1nent of the hammer. To that, w'

end the .ulcrumed end of the hammer arm 10 is pivotally connected at 14 to, thev contiguous end of a link 15, and this is shown as inclining upwardly and forwardly slightly from the vertical. It is connected at rits upper end by a kpivot 16 to the lower end of an adjusting` rod 17 which, in turn, is slida-bly litted in an aperture 18 provided therefor `from the top to bottom of the key This adjusting rod 1.7 projects both be? low and above the key and its upper end is designed for attachment to means whereby the position of the rod 17 is not only regulated but also whereby it is firmly locked.

A preferred forni ot adjusting means for the rod 17 is shown as` including a block .20

fastened on the upper end of the rod and being thread-ed, parallel to the axis of the rod, to receive a jack screw 21 shown asy having its lower end provided withI a head resti-ngr in a seat 22 in the top of the key The head on the lower end of the screw 2l is engaged by means for normally pressing' it firmly to its seat 22, and this may consist oi? a resilient leaf 2, slotted to nass around the shank of the screw just above its head, while the opposite end of the clamping leatl 23 is supported upon the top oit its key and held as by a screw 24.

The jack screw 21 is adapted to be engaged by any suitable tool whereby it may be rotated, and thus raise or lower the block 20 and thereby axially shift the rod 18 in its key 2. As here shown, the upper end of the screw 21 is transversely slotted as at 21LL to receive the bit of a screw driver or other suitable implement for rotation ot the screw.

From this it will be seen that as the adjusting rod 17 is raised or lowered through its key 2 it will, by means of its connecting link 15, push down or pull up on the connected end ol the hammer arm 10 and, therefore, move the hammer toward or from its wire lV as is required.

For the purpose of securing and locking the parts in adjusted position, means are provided and7 as here shown, include the screw 25 with its head arranged above the block 20 and its shank freely tnrnable therein, the lower end of the screw 25 being threaded in the key 2 so that after the jack screw 21 has been turned to set the adjusting rod 18 at the desired position thereof the clamping screw 25 is turned so Jthat it will jam down on the block 20, and this will be canted on the jack screw 21 and thereby iirmly locked.

Arranged a short distance to the rear ot the rails 5 and 9 is a transversely disposed rail 27 in which are seated the usual guide pins such as 2S, tor the rear ends oit the keys 16, and arranged a short distance above this rail 27 and above the rear portions ot' keys 2 is a transversely disposed rail 29 in which are adjustably seated screws SO. These screws 30 pass upwardly through rail 29. Therefore, their heads are underneath and in order that said screws may be rotated for adjustment from a convenient position above the rail, the upper ends of said screws are provided with diametrically arranged slots 31 that are adapted to receive the end of a screw driver or like adjusting tool. Carried by the rear end of each key and on the top thereofis a cushion 32 that is adapted to contact with the head of the corresponding screw 30 when the key is struck in the usual manner and its rear end elevated. arranged in the rear port-ion of the body of each key 2 is a counterbalancing weight 33, preferably a plug or disk or relatively heavy metal, such as lead.` and said weight serves to cause the rear ends of the keys to move downwardly after being struck, and the pressure on the forward ends of the keys is relieved. Positioned on rail 27 is a pad or cushion Si of telt or analogous material, upon which the rear portions oi' the keys rest when in normal position.

Positioned a substantial distance to the rear of the part-s 5 and 9 and disposed above the strings or wires is a transversely disposed rail 85, and pivotally connected to rflanges 3G, that are seated on said rail7 are the rear ends of damper levers 37, there being one arm tor each key and string.

Passing vertically through each lever 37 is a screw 3S carrying on its lower end a damper 39 that normally rests on the corresponding string. Positioned on the under side of the free end of each lever 37 is a cushioning pad i0 ot 'telt or analogous material which is adapted to be engaged by the laterally bent lower end Ll1 ot a rod Ll2 that depends from the corresponding key. llnder normal conditions this linger 41 occupies a position a short distance below the pad 40. Suitable means is provided ior simultaneously raising all ot the damper I levers, which means preferably includes a rod 4:3 operated by a usual pedal, the upper end ot which rod bears against the under side oi a transversely disposed rail 4l, which latter is disposed beneath the torward portions o all of the levers 37.

Disposed above the 'forward portions of levers 37 is a transversely disposed rail 45 that is provided on its under side with a cushioning pad 46, which latter serves as a stop to cushion and limit the upward movement oi the t'orward ends ot the damper levers 37.

In the operation o't my improved piano action. when a key is struck, its forward end will be depressed and its rear end elevated until pad 82 engages against the head ot screw 30. As the key is thus actuated, the laterally projecting .linger all on the lower end ot rod -l-2 engages against pad 40 on the forward end or' the corresponding damper lever 37, thereby lifting the t'oiwvard end ot' said arm and consequently lifting damper 39 from the correspondingstring; and immediately a'ttcr these operations, the corresponding hammer will strike against the string, which action is brought about by the upward movement of pin 17 and link 15, which latter is directly connected to the lower rear end of hammer arm.

In the event that the thumb or linger is immediately removed after striking a keyl the parts will immediately return to their normal positions and the vibration o't the string that was struck by the hammer will be arrested by the damper 39 as the saine again makes contact with said string. But if the key is held in its depressed or shifted position after being struck. the downward pressure on the front portion of said key will compress the 'felt washers G to such a degree as to permit the front portion ot the key to move a slight distance downwardlv` with the result that the lower end of the hammer 1st, which would otherwise bear on t-he corresponding string, will elevate slightly or withdraw from said string a suflicient distance to permit the same to vibrate, thereby producing a sustained note. This action is produced as a resulteot the continued downward pressure upon the key, as said action slightly lowers the parts l5 and 17 and correspondingly lowers the point ot pivotal connection between link l5 and arm l0, so that said last mentioned arm .is swung upon its fulcrum in order to slightly elevate the lower end of the corresponding hammer from the corresponding string.

When the key 2 kis depressed the' pad 32 strikes the head of the screw `3() and becomes the itulcrum, and While the key is still further depressed the cushion yields, thus tending to shorten the distance between the v'pivot 14 and the pivot 16but the link l5 is rigid and this motion will tend to raise the hammer ll and they second fulcruming of the key results in the holding of the hammer in raised position after the rebound oi the hammer.

Ordinarily, lthe keys swing or tulcruru at the pins 4, but when depressed after being struck so as to slightly elevate the hammer and produce a sustained note as just described said keys fulcruin upon the bearing produced between pad yG and the head ot' screw 30.,

A sott pedal action is provided whereby to lift the 'rear endsfof the keys Q and thus shorten the effective strokes of the hammers.4 Such soft pedal act-ion includes a rod 5,0 extended down in the usual manner for connection to a pedal and having on its upper end a rail 5l which is provided with a cushion strip, as ofijelt, 52 normally jilaeed slightly below the rear ends ot the keys Lifting the Soft pedal rail 5l brings its cushion 52 into engagement with the keysand these are tiltedv as above stated to shorten thev stroke.

Various modiications and changes may be resortedto within the spirit ot the invention` as claimed.

jVhat is claimed is:

l. A piano act-ion having, in combination, a key, a yielding` fulcrum vtor the key, a hammer, and means mounted upon the key and connected to the hammer, said means providing tor the adjustment otl t-he hammer to vary itseli'ective stroke.

2. A piano action having, in combination, a key, a yielding ulcrum for the key, a fulcrum hammer to strike its respective wire, and adjustable connections between the hammer and the key.

3. A. piano action having, in combination, a key, a yielding liulcrum for the key, a tulcrum hammer to strike 'its respective wire, and adjustable connections between the hammer and the key, said connections including an adjusting rod mounted in the key and a connecting link joining said rod and the hammer.

4. A piano action having, in combination, a key, a yielding fulcrum for the key, a tulcrum hammer to strike its respective wire, adjustable connections between the hammer and the key, said connections includingan adjusting rod mounted inthe key and a connecting link joining said rod andthe hammer, and means Yfor locking the adjusting rod in its several positions.

5. A piano action having, in combination, a key, a yielding tulcrum for the key, an adjusting rod .mounted through the key, a jack screw, one end otwhich. is supported on the key, said rod being provided with a block ei'igaged by the jack screw whereby upon the rotation ot the screw said rod is shifted.

G. rpiano action having, in combination, a key, a yielding ulcrum for the key, an adjusting rodinounted through the key, a jack screw, one end ot which is supported ou the key, said rod being provided with a block engaged by the jack screw whereby upon the rotation ot' the screw said rod is shifted, and means :tor retaining the jack screw rotatively in its mounted position.

7. A piano action having, in combination, a key, a yielding fulcrum for the key, an adjusting rod mounted through the key, a jack screw, one end ot' which is supported on the key, said rod. being provided with a. block engaged by the jack screw whereby upon the rotation ot the screw said rod isy shifted, means for retaining the jack screw rotatively in its mounted position, and a locking screw passing through said block and rotative therein and engaging the key whereby to lock the said block on the screw.

8. In a piano, the combination with piano strings, ot a piano action including hammers, a key for each hammer, a pin adjust-y ably arranged through each key to the rear of its fulcrum and extending downwardly at right angles to the key, and a link connecting the lower end of said pin to one ot the hammers.

9. In a piano, the combination with piano strings, ot a piano action including ham;v mers, a key for each hammer,` a pin adjustably arranged through each key to the rear ot its fulcrum and extending downwardly at right angles to the key, a link connectl ing the lower end ot said pin to one ot the hammers, and means for securing said pin in its adj-usted position upon the key.

l0, In a piano action, a tulerumed key, a fulcrumed hammer below the key, a vertically adjustable pin seated through the key to the rear of its 'ulcrum point and eX- tending downwardly at right angles to the key, and a link connecting the lower end oi said pin and said hammer.

ll. In a piano, the combination with piano strings, of a piano action mounted above the strings and including hammers,` a key for each hammer, a yieldable ulcrum for each key, and an actuating connection between each key and its hammer arranged to cause downward swinging of the hammer to strike its string when the key is struck, and subsequent elevation of the hammer from its string upon continued depression ot thc key so as to cause yielding ot' said fulcrum.

l2. In a piano, the combination with piano strings, of a piano action including hammers, a key i'or each hammer, a yieldable ulcrum for each key, a stop for limiting the swinging movement of the rear ends of the ulcrumed keys, whereby continued depression of a key will cause yielding of its fulcrum and subsequent fulcruming of the key at said stop, and an actuating` connection between each key and its hammer arranged to cause swinging of the hammer to strike its string upon initial tulcruming of the key, and subsequent withdrawal of the hammer from its string' upon the subsequent fulcruming ot the key.

13. In a piano, the combination with piano strings, of a piano action including hammers, a key for each hammer, a balance rail for said keys, a resilient support between each of said keys and said rail providing yieldable i'ulcrums for said keys, a stop for limiting swinging movement of the rear ends of the keys, and an actuating connection between each key and its hammer arranged to cause swinging of the hammer to strike its string when the key is struck, and subsequent withdrawal of said hammer trom its string upon continued depression of the key.

Il. In a piano, the combination with piano strings, of aV piano action includingr hammers, a key for each hammer, a yielding ulcrum for each key, dampers for said strings, an operating connection between the key and damper for each string arranged to withdraw the damper when a key is struck, and an actuating connection between each key and its hammer arranged to cause the hammer to strike its string when the key is struck, and subsequent withdrawal of said hammer from its string upon continued depression of the key by yielding of its fulcrum.

l5. The combination with a piano action, of hammer actuating keys, a rail carrying cushioning pads beneath the rear portions of said keys, and an adjustable contact device for each key to check the upward swing of the adjacent portion of said key.

16. In a piano, a fulcrumed key, a wire striking hammer connected to and actuated by said key, a rail arranged above the rear end of s aid key, a screw seated in said rail for limiting` the up vvard movement ot the rear end of the key and having a tool rcceiving slot formed in the upper end of said screw.

17. A piano action including a key fulcrumed between its ends, a hammer arranged below the key behind the iulcrum and above its respective string or wire and an adjustable connection between the key and hammer.

1S. A piano action including a key fulerumed between its ends, a hammer arranged below the key and behind the fulcrum and above its respective string or wire, and adjustable connections carried by the key and joining the hammer thereto.

19. In a piano action, a key and cool dinate string, a hammer interposed between the string and the key and adjustably connected to the key, a check rail arranged above the rear end ot the key and individual means in the check rail to engage each key in its uppermost position, and a yield ing fulcrum for the key.

20. In a piano action, a key and coordinate string, a hammer interposed between the string and the key and adjustably connected to the key, a check rail arranged above the rear end ot' the key and individual means in the check rail to engage each key in its uppermost position, a yieldi ing fulcrum for the key, and a soft pedal device including a rail for engagement with the rear end of a series of the keys.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

HENRY F. SCHENUIT. 

